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Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration

June 30, 2017

1199SEIU’s Asian American
Pacific Islander Caucus
held its annual celebration
on May 23 in the Union’s Cherkasky/
Davis Penthouse. The event drew
scores of 1199ers, guests and
community allies who joined Caucus
members for the yearly celebration of
Asian American Pacific Heritage. The
event included traditional music and
dance, cuisines from throughout Asia
and a panel discussion of challenges
facing some of our Asian-American
members and allies on the job and in
our communities.

Jian Mei, a pharmacy tech at
New York Presbyterian Hospital, is
the son of 1199 members and calls
himself a ‘union baby.’ “You guys
motivate me to become a delegate and
to give a voice to the ones that don’t
have a voice and for those who may
be fearful of speaking up for their
rights,” he said.

Shilpa Patel, a pharmacist a Rite
Aid, moved to the U.S. from India with
her family when she was s little girl.
Patel says that her experience reflects
that of many Asian Americans.
“I’m very proud of my parents.

They came here in the 1980’s when it
wasn’t like it is now,” she said. “They
faced a lot of racism, but they struggled
and they succeeded. And they raised
my brothers and me, and we are all
professionals.”

The evening’s keynote speaker was
Luisa Blue, executive vice president
of 1199’s parent union, SEIU. Blue
reminded attendees how much Asian-
Americans have contributed to U.S.
society and how much there is to lose.
“You must be ready to stand up in
2018, 2020 and beyond,” she said.